1/48 Academy P-38M Night Lightning

Gallery Article by Mike Lepek on Nov 9 2009

 

This is the 1/48 Academy Minicraft P-38M kit, I used a combination of True Details wheels and cockpit and scratch built parts for the Radar Operators station. The markings are a combination of AeroMaster sheet 48-631, kit decals and also decals from the Revell P-38 kit. The kit was assembled per instructions except for the Radar Operators station which is a combination of scratch built and kit bashing. The seat is from a P-61 and the side wall instrumentation is from an F-82. 

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The model was painted with a combination of Model Master, Floquil and Alclad paints.  Once the kit coated with a coat of Alclad primer in then sprayed the aircraft with a coat of Dura aluminum. This was allowed to dry for a few days then I began to applying several coats of Model Master Gloss Black.  The top coat was allowed to dry for several weeks and then I began the process of weathering, I wet sanded the aircraft with 3800 grit sand paper to simulate the wear and tear this aircraft was exposed to. I polished the areas were the decals were applied to and then sealed with Model Master Semi Gloss clear and Floquil Crystal Clear. I applied a light wash of Heavenly Hues Black and Brown to a few areas of the airframe.   

This aircraft was assigned to the 421st  Night Fighter Squadron and was part of the occupation forces stationed on mainland Japan at the end of the hostilities of WW II.

Mike Lepek

Photos and text © by Mike Lepek